National security adviser says impeachment process has hindered U.S. foreign policy

Ambassador Robert O'Brien and Ambassador Stuart Holliday at Meridian International Center on February 5, 2020.

This article was originally published in the Washington Post by Anne Gearan on Feb. 5, 2020 at 9:40 AM.

Robert C. O’Brien, Trump’s national security adviser, predicted Wednesday that some Democrats will vote to acquit the president and said the impeachment process has been a hindrance to U.S. foreign policy.

“With respect to the acquittal today, I’m looking forward to it,” O’Brien said during an appearance at the Meridian International Center. “I think it was a terrible pall that was cast over the United States and our ability to operate ... in the foreign policy arena.”

He called the House investigation unfair and an affront to “the rule of law,” which he said the United States seeks to promote abroad.

O’Brien did not directly address whether the Trump administration will continue to seek Ukrainian investigations of Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden once the impeachment process involving that issue is over.

“Look, I’m not aware of any request the president made to investigate the Bidens per se. I think what the president wanted done was he wanted the Ukrainians to investigate corruption in the Ukraine,” O’Brien said.

"The Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement is one of the key institutions in Washington and for our foreign colleagues who are here serving, I know it is an invaluable asset."

Photos by Jessica Latos.

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